「不准說話，不准拍攝」：土耳其抗議活動後記者被捕加劇對民主的擔憂

In Istanbul, a photojournalist named Yasin Akgul was arrested at his home on the morning of March 23. This occurred while his children were still asleep. Just hours earlier, he had returned from covering large anti-government protests. When the police arrived at his door, they informed him that they had an arrest order but did not provide any details. Yasin was confused and frightened, especially since his son was awake and he didn’t know how to explain the situation. At 35 years old, Yasin has been a photojournalist for over a decade, capturing images in various dangerous places, including war-torn Syria and IS-controlled Iraq. However, being arrested at home was a new experience for him. He described the atmosphere in his house as chilling, stating, 'A chill fell over the house. ' He has faced violence from police while working, including being beaten during protests, but having them in his home made him feel more vulnerable. Yasin was one of seven journalists arrested during early morning raids. All of them had been covering protests that erupted after the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The mayor was accused of corruption, but many believe this was a politically motivated move to hinder his chances of becoming the next president. Although the authorities had banned the protests, they were unable to stop the public from demonstrating. Yasin is now facing charges for participating in what the government calls 'illegal rallies and marches. ' He believes the intention behind these arrests is clear: to deter other journalists from documenting the largest unrest in Turkey in over a decade. He was in the midst of the protests, wearing a gas mask, when he captured some of the most powerful images of the night. One of his notable photos depicts a man dressed as a whirling dervish being sprayed with pepper spray by riot police, a striking representation of the ongoing struggle in Turkey that gained international attention, but ultimately led to his arrest. Yasin expressed, 'This message is to all the journalists: Don’t shoot, don’t speak, don’t film. ' He feels that the government is trying to instill fear in journalists, making them hesitant to return to the field. His affiliation with the international news agency AFP amplifies this message. After the arrests, many freelance journalists chose not to cover the protests the following day due to fear. Yasin believes that the authorities specifically targeted experienced journalists to remove them from the front lines. Many of his colleagues have already left Turkey, fearing for their safety. His family, like many others, is anxious about the potential consequences they may face in the courts. The government claims that the judiciary is independent, but human rights organizations argue that judges are under political influence, leading to a gradual erosion of democracy in Turkey. President Erdogan, who has a strong base of loyal supporters, maintains a tight grip on power. He has labeled the protests as 'street terrorism' and accused the opposition of inciting violence. He predicts that the demonstrations will diminish, but many remain uncertain about that outcome. As Yasin Akgul was released from prison on March 27, another journalist, Mark Lowen from the BBC, was being deported from Istanbul after spending 17 hours in detention. He was informed that he posed a 'threat to public order. ' The authorities later claimed that he was deported due to a lack of proper accreditation. It is not only journalists who are at risk; one of the mayor's lawyers was also briefly detained under dubious circumstances. Ece Guner, the lawyer and advisor to the mayor, emphasized the importance of a safe environment for legal defense, stating, 'The right to a defense is sacred. ' She acknowledged the prevailing fear but affirmed their commitment to truth and democracy. The current state of democracy in Turkey raises concerns among many. Since the protests began on March 19, approximately 2,000 individuals have been detained, including students and young people who have only known Erdogan's long rule. This sends a strong warning to the youth, discouraging them from participating in protests. Emma Sinclair-Webb, the Turkey Director for Human Rights Watch, noted that the government is aggressively targeting perceived opposition from various sectors, not just the main opposition party. She anticipates ongoing efforts to suppress protests and render them invisible, given the government's extensive media control. The significant demonstrations have not been adequately covered by state media, which often refers to protesters as terrorists. The most recent rally, which was not banned, saw a large turnout, with families attending to support the mayor. One protester named Alp expressed his concerns about the risk of arrest but felt it was crucial to stand up for democracy. He stated, 'All of us are in danger right now. But we have to stand up. That’s our only choice. ' The opposition is determined to continue its protests and is advocating for presidential elections to be held earlier than 2028. Polls indicate that if Imamoglu were released and allowed to run, he could defeat Erdogan. Although Erdogan is in his second term, there is speculation that he may attempt to change the constitution to extend his rule. The opposition has pledged to hold weekly protests moving forward, suggesting that arrests will likely continue. It remains uncertain whether Yasin Akgul's case will go to trial, but the charges against him persist. Despite the risks, he remains committed to telling the story of what is happening in Turkey, stating, 'Someone needs to do this job, and I think I am one of those people.